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KMHC – Communiqué – COVID-19 Test Results Delays

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) wishes to inform the community of the delays currently being experienced with receiving test results for the COVID-19 Testing Site. This delay is due to the increased volume of tests being conducted province-wide.


Currently, results are expected to be returned 5 to 6 days after being sent out. Those who are awaiting results are advised to continue to self-isolate until their results are received and public health lifts their isolation.

KMHC would like to thank the community for its continued patience and understanding throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Daily Bulletin Featured Bulletin

HEALTHY EATING DURING TIMES OF CRISIS

By Joëlle Emond, KMHC Registered Dietitian. Published 2020-08-07.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought major changes in the lives of many: isolation, disturbed routine, increased stress, reduced hours of work, and income. As you may come to realize, these can be the makings of a perfect storm for malnutrition. If like many others the pandemic has taken a toll on your eating habits, here’s help to preserve your health and the health of loved ones!

EATING WELL TO SUPPORT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

The fact that more people than usual cannot eat enough or well enough during the pandemic is a huge concern. Although no single food, supplement or natural health product will prevent you from catching COVID-19[i], eating a variety of healthy foods every day is just as important for a strong immune system as are other healthy lifestyle habits like exercise, being smoke free, sleeping enough and managing stress. In addition of helping to prevent or manage a health condition you might already be living with like diabetes, heart disease and cancers, choosing to eat mostly vitamin-packed vegetables and fruit, fiber-rich whole grains and lean proteins can help defend your body against invaders, such as viruses and bacteria.

[i] https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/covid-19.html

BALANCING YOUR PLATE ON A TIGHT BUDGET

Almost 1 in 7 Canadians reported going hungry because there was not enough money for foods during the pandemic.[i] In addition, people living with little ones and the ones who has lost their job were more likely to be worried about food running out before there was money to buy more and having difficulty affording to eat balanced meals.

If you are trying to balance good nutrition with affordability, the price of food can be an important barrier. When the family budget is limited, the first items dropped are usually high-quality foods like vegetables and fruit, nuts, yogurt, fish and chicken. Food choices tend to shift toward those with more refined sugar and saturated or trans fat like white bread, white rice and pasta, processed meats, sodas and cakes or pastries.[ii] While many healthy foods are quite expensive, there are plenty of affordable ones too. Cooking from scratch with simple ingredients is a fantastic way to save money on groceries while eating healthier!

[i] https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/45-28-0001/2020001/article/00039-eng.htm

[ii] https://www.ifpri.org/blog/covid-19-nutrition-crisis-what-expect-and-how-protect

EXTRA TIPS to eat healthy for less
  • Cook your own meals. Although it may seem cheaper to hit the drive-through, your dollar will take you much further if spent at the grocery store! If you do order out, consider splitting the meal in 2 to help both your health and your budget!
  • Go with plant-based proteins. In addition to being very nutritious, beans, lentils and peas are way less expensive than their animal counterpart meat, poultry and fish. Try vegetarian chili, add cans of rinsed kidney or navy beans to vegetable soups or use brown lentils to stretch your spaghetti sauce.
  • Take the time to plan your menu. Choosing ahead what you will eat and sticking to your grocery list can help you avoid buying too much and wasting food.
  • Transform leftovers. Use leftover chicken and meat to make sandwiches or stir fry and bones to start a soup. Save vegetable trimmings in the freezer to make flavorful stocks.
  • Make extras. Make double of a recipe when the ingredients are in season or go on sale. Put extras in the freezer to enjoy a prepared meal another time!
  • Plant a garden. Consider vegetables like green beans, beets, onions, broccoli, peppers, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, peas, berries and fresh herbs.
THE BASIC healthy grocery shopping list

Vegetables & Fruit

  • Carrots
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Potatoes / Sweet potatoes
  • Turnip / Rutabaga
  • Green Cabbage
  • Canned pumpkin, plain
  • Canned tomatoes, no added salt
  • Tomato paste, no added salt
  • Frozen or canned vegetables, no added salt
  • Bananas
  • Apples
  • Oranges
  • Lemon
  • Frozen or canned fruits, no added sugar
  • Applesauce, unsweetened

Whole Grains

  • Brown bread
  • Brown rice
  • Brown pasta
  • Hulled barley
  • Old fashioned oats

Protein Foods

  • Dried or canned beans, peas and lentils (ex. kidney beans, black beans, split peas, chickpeas, etc.)
  • Canned light tuna in water
  • Eggs
  • 0-2% M.F. Milk / Skim milk powder
  • Natural peanut butter

Others

  • Pepper
  • Dry mustard
  • Oil
  • Vinegar
  • Chicken broth, no added salt
  • Dried herbs
  • Spices
  • Cornstarch
  • Whole wheat flour
  • Sugar
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Cocoa powder
  • Raisins
  • Whole corn kernels
  • Sparkling water
  • Green tea / Herbal tea / Black tea / Coffee
A VEGETARIAN FAVORITE

Lentil Bolognese

Recipe and image from Canadian Living[i]

[i] https://www.canadianliving.com/food/lunch-and-dinner/recipe/our-best-lentil-bolognese

Total time

Portion Size

25 minutes

4 servings
INGREDIENTS
  • 4 tablespoons oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 carrot, finely chopped
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon hot pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup tomato paste, no added salt
  • 2 ½ cups vegetable broth, no added salt
  • 540 ml can lentils, drained and rinsed
  • 250 g (about 2 ¼ cups) any short pasta
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
METHOD
  • In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add mushrooms, carrot, onion, salt and hot pepper flakes; cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Push vegetables to edge of pan. Add tomato paste to centre; cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Mix into vegetables; cook for 1 minute.
  • Stir in broth; cook until carrot is soft, about 5 minutes. Add lentils; cook for 2 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in large pot of boiling water, cook pasta according to package directions. Reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid, drain.
  • Stir pasta and enough reserved cooking liquid to loosen sauce into lentil mixture. Stir in Parmesan.
  • Divide among plates; sprinkle with more Parmesan, if desired.
article image 05
CELEBRATE REAL FOOD!

Brown Paper Bag Popcorn

Recipe and image from Bless this Mess[i]

[i] https://www.blessthismessplease.com/how-to-pop-popcorn-in-a-brown-paper-bag-the-microwave/

Total time

Portion Size

5 minutes

1 serving

 

INGREDIENTS
  • ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
  • 1 medium brown paper bag
  • Seasonings to taste (optional)
METHOD
  • Add the popcorn to the paper bag and fold the top over a time or two.
  • Microwave on high until the popping has a one second gap in it, about 1:30-2:30 minutes and seconds. The goal is to pop as many kernels as you can without burning the popcorn. The time that will take will vary depending on the age of your popcorn and your microwave.
  • Stop the microwave, dump the popped popcorn into a large bowl and season as desired.
  • Repeat as needed to get the desired amount of popcorn.
SOLUTIONS TO EATING FOR COMFORT

The changes that COVID-19 has brought into our lives might have triggered an array of emotions: stress, fear, anger, boredom and even loneliness. It is possible at some point you have found yourself reaching out for comfort food or having a drink to relieve some of them. If so, you are not alone as 25% of Canadians (aged 35-54) reported drinking more due to COVID-19 pandemic.[i]

Many studies show that emotional or physical distress increases the amount of food we eat, particularly those higher in fat, sugar or both. Furthermore, a change in your routine such as not having to commute to work and the ability to wake up later can also throw off your mealtimes and otherwise established healthy habits.

If emotional eating or drinking is a strategy you have used before, you probably know the relief it brings is only temporary. Soon after the start, a feeling of guilt may arise which keeps the emotional consumption going instead of putting an end to it. Using this strategy often may lead to weight gain and loss of good health. 

[i] https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2020-04/CCSA-NANOS-Alcohol-Consumption-During-COVID-19-Report-2020-en.pdf

Emotional Hunger
Physical Hunger

Comes …

Suddenly

Gradually

Needs to be satisfied …

Right away

Now or Later

Presents with …

No physical cues of hunger

Stomach growling, loss of focus, irritability

Brings a desire for …

Specific foods

A range of different foods

The sensation of fullness …

Might not stop the eating

Stops the eating

May cause …

Guilt, shame or powerlessness

No negative feeling about eating

Mindful eating is an approach that can help make eating an intentional act again instead of an automatic one. It involves minimising distractions while eating and retraining the mind and body to experience foods with all your senses. Studies show mindful eating techniques may effectively treat common, unhealthy eating behaviors like emotional eating. [i] If you think this can be useful to you, consider getting help from a dietitian and/or psychologist that specializes in this approach. In the meantime, finding other replacement strategies to deal with emotions such as deep breathing, meditating or journaling can also help you retrieve the pleasure of eating in response to physical cues of hunger!

[i] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24854804/

GET STARTED with mindful eating
  • Plan to eat regular meals and snacks throughout day. Adopting a daily routine can help prevent overeating later in the day.
  • Ditch distractions. Eat at the table rather than on the go. Turn off all screens and focus on your food – how it tastes, smells and looks. Enjoy every bite and pay attention to fullness cues.
  • Slow down. Put down your fork between bites to take time to savour your food. Focus on how it feels in your mouth. Changing longstanding habits will take time…
  • Start a food and mood journal. Keep track of what kind of foods you eat and how you are feeling when eating it. Look for reoccurring patterns.
  • Break the habit. The next time you feel like eating in response to an emotion, look for an alternative strategy that will directly address the emotion (ex.: going for a walk to taking a bath when feeling stressed or videoconference with family and friends when feeling lonesome).
Categories
News

Resources for School Re-Openings

KEC Documents

Click to Download
Toolkit for the school network produced by the CNESST
Visit Site
Quebec.ca - Back-to-school plan for education and higher education – Fall 2020 (COVID-19)
Visit Site
Quebec.ca - Safety measures for workers and children in elementary schools during COVID-19
Visit Site
FPPE.ca - COVID-19 Back to school plan
View
Guide to Managing COVID-19 Cases and Contacts in Schools: Kindergarten to Grade 6
View
Categories
Daily Bulletin

Mental Health Resources

From Stressed to Centered

https://ericalayne.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Stressed-to-Centered.pdf

Dealing with Anxiety

How to avoid burnout during pandemic

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200330-covid-19-how-to-learn-a-new-skill-in-coronavirus-quarantine

Carving out white space

Coronavirus and Carving out White Space

FACE COVID

https://www.actmindfully.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/FACE-COVID-eBook-by-Russ-Harris-March-2020.pdf

Accepting Uncertainty

https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/CCI/Consumer%20Modules/What%20Me%20Worry/What%20Me%20Worry%20-%2009%20-%20Accepting%20Uncertainty.pdf

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Daily Bulletin Featured Bulletin

KMHC Communiqué – Homemade and Restaurant Food Now Accepted on Drop-off Sundays

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) wishes to inform the community that homemade and restaurant food will now be accepted for residents beginning this Sunday, August 2, 2020, and will continue every Drop-Off Sunday following. 

Following the Infection Prevention and Control protocols in place for COVID-19, KMHC kindly asks that these food deliveries be done by family members. If it is from a restaurant, a family member must pick up the food and deliver it themself to the drop-off site. KMHC will not accept restaurant deliveries; restaurant delivery drivers will be turned away for safety reasons. Food containers will be wiped down and disinfected. 

KMHC asks that family members that drop off food clearly label the food container(s) with the following: 

  • Name of the resident 
  • Any reheating/refrigeration instructions 

Please keep in mind that there is limited refrigeration space, so storage may or may not be available for all food items depending on the volume. 

Please inform KMHC if a meal is to be dropped off by calling 450-638-3930 ext. 2238 or contact the resident directly so that arrangements can be made with the KMHC kitchen staff. 

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Daily Bulletin Featured Bulletin

KMHC Communiqué – Inpatient Care Visitation Moves to Next Phase

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) wishes to inform the community that the next phase of visitation for the family of Inpatient Care residents will begin Monday, August 3, 2020. This next phase will allow two (2) family members to visit their loved one in his or her room here at KMHC. 


Please note that all infection prevention and control measures will still be in place and visits will continue to be by appointment only. Health checks will be done prior to the visits. All visitors are required to wear masks covering both nose and mouth. Gowns will be provided to visitors upon their arrival and will be left at the hospital at the conclusion of the visit. Visitors will be able to hold hands with their loved ones.   
Opening up this stage of visitation will allow for a more intimate setting for family members. It is even more important that each visitor wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) because of the smaller space in the rooms, compared to the previous stage’s meeting room. 

Family members with current appointments will be receiving a phone call from KMHC, who will provide an update and information on booking the next appointment during this next stage. After this, family members will be invited to call and book their visitation appointments. Visits will be by appointment ONLY. The phone number will be provided at a later date.

UPDATE:
In order to make an appointment to visit a family member at Inpatient Care, please call 450-638-3930 ext. 2296.

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Daily Bulletin Featured Bulletin

KMHC Press Release – Update on Dr. Jones’ Retirement for End of 2020

(Kahnawake – 10, Ohiarihkó:wa/July 2020) The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) wishes to remind the community that Dr. Suzanne Jones plans to retire later this year,  in December 2020. As previously announced in last week’s communiqué regarding her retirement, blocks of her clients will be gradually transferred to Dr. Marie-Eve Fiset-Morissette. As well, some blocks of her clients will be transferred to Dr. Annick Gauthier.

“We are making every effort to prioritize clients with chronic medical conditions and the elderly from the community for transfer to Dr. Fiset-Morissette and Dr. Gauthier,” notes Dr. Suzanne Jones “An initial block of 350 of my clients have been transferred to Dr. Fiset-Morissette for her start here at KMHC.”

The remaining clients of Dr. Jones will stay under her care in the meantime, with an additional block of clients transferring to Dr. Fiset-Morissette in the fall. Dr. Gauthier will be taking on 175 of Dr. Jones’ clients by August, which will be in addition to her current client-base.

“We are making every effort possible to transfer and accommodate as many clients as we can,” said Dr. Jones. “However, to be transparent with the community, while most of my clients will be transferred to Dr. Fiset-Morissette and Dr. Gauthier, there will be some clients who will become unregistered.”

Those clients from the community who may become unregistered will still have access to the Saturday clinics and will be able to call during regular hours to book an urgent appointment if a physician is available after speaking with a nurse.

KMHC will provide further details regarding the client transfers as we approach the retirement date of Dr. Jones.

-30-

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Daily Bulletin Featured Bulletin

KMHC Communiqué -Gift Drop-off for Residents

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) wishes to inform the community that this Sunday, July 5, 2020, families will be able to drop off gifts for their loved ones who reside at KMHC. A drop-off day will occur every second (2nd) Sunday after July 5.

Gifts will be strictly limited to items that are easily disinfected:

  • Items such as Soaps, Shampoos, Souvenir Items
  • Pre-packaged Snacks (Store-bought)
  • Bottles of Water/Cans of Soda
  • Flowers will be accepted
  • Clothing

Please clearly label all clothing and gifts with the resident’s name. DO NOT wrap gifts, as the wrapping will be discarded for infection control measures.

KMHC will be using the COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Site Tent for drop-off delivery. Please be assured that the tent area will be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly for Sunday, July 5 for everyone’s safety; note that no testing is conducted on the weekends for the COVID-19 Testing Site. The staff will be wearing the proper protective gear when accepting the gift deliveries to comply with the preventative measures in place for COVID-19. Family members are asked to come by car and remain in their car to deliver the gifts.

TIME:        10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

DATE:       Sunday, July 5, 2020

LOCATION:   KMHC COVID-19 Testing Site

WHO:        Families of KMHC Residents

KMHC thanks you for your continued patience and understanding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Daily Bulletin

Healthy Cooking while on Self-Isolation

Refreshing Strawberry Treats

It’s starting to feel a lot like summer.  Here are two refreshing recipes to enjoy the first fruit of the season, our well-loved Ken’niiohontésha.

 

Enjoy and keep well,

By Chantal Haddad PDt, Nutritionist

Fresh Fruit with Strawberry Sauce

Strawberry sauce:

2 cups            fresh or frozen strawberries (thawed)

2 tbsp            maple syrup

1 tbsp            fresh lemon juice

 

1                      melon

1 cup             fruit; blueberries, kiwi, raspberries

 

  • In blender, puree strawberries.  Add maple syrup and lemon juice

  • Halve melon; scoop out seeds.  Cut flesh into bite-size pieces. 

  • Drizzle sauce over fruit.

  • Makes 4 servings.

Note: You can use any fresh fruit in season instead of cantaloupe and blueberries.

Recipe from “New Light Cooking” by Anne Lindsay

Wild Berry Frozen Yogurt Bark

3 cups                vanilla Greek yogurt

1 Tbsp                maple syrup

4                         fresh strawberries, chopped

¼ cup               fresh raspberries

¼ cup               fresh blueberries

  • Line a baking tray with parchment or wax paper or foil and spread the yogurt about ½ inch thick.
  • Drizzle the maple syrup over the yogurt
  • Sprinkle the fruits on top and place in the freezer for 2-4 hours or until it is completely frozen.
  • Remove from the freezer and use a sharp knife to break the bark into pieces. Eat immediately after serving.

 

NOTE:  The yogurt will start to defrost after sitting out for more than 10 minutes, so only pull this delectable treat out only when ready to consume! Leftover bark can be stored in the freezer in food bags or airtight containers for up to 2 weeks.

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Daily Bulletin Featured Bulletin

KMHC Communiqué – Father’s Day Gift Drop-off

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) wishes to inform the community that this Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21, 2020, families will be able to drop off gifts for their loved ones who reside at KMHC. Although it is for Father’s Day, KMHC also encourages family members to drop off gifts for any family member that is a KMHC resident as well to show their love and support during these trying times.

Gifts will be strictly limited to items that are easily disinfected:

  • Items such as Soaps, Shampoos, Souvenir Items
  • Prepackaged Snacks (Store-bought)
  • Bottles of Water/Cans of Soda
  • Flowers will be accepted
  • Clothing

Please clearly label all clothing and gifts with the resident’s name, do NOT seal envelopes for cash, and do NOT wrap gifts, as the wrapping will be discarded for infection control measures.

KMHC will be using the COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Site Tent for drop-off delivery. Please be assured that the tent area will be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly for Sunday, June 21 for everyone’s safety; note that no testing is conducted on the weekends for the COVID-19 Testing Site. The staff will be wearing the proper protective gear when accepting the gift deliveries to comply with the preventative measures in place for COVID-19. Family members are asked to come by car and remain in their car to deliver the gifts.

TIME:                9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

DATE:               Sunday, June 21, 2020

LOCATION:      KMHC COVID-19 Testing Site

WHO:              Families of KMHC Residents

Following Father’s Day, a drop-off day will occur every second (2nd) Sunday after June 21 (July 5, July 19, August 2, etc..) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The same restrictions on gifts apply.

KMHC thanks you for your continued patience and understanding during the COVID-19 pandemic.